Irvine Valley improved its record to 6-0-1 overall and 3-0-0 in conference.

Men’s soccer team falls to Long Beach City

Irvine Valley’s men’s soccer team was hoping to pick up a bit of momentum heading into the start of Orange Empire Conference play next Tuesday.

But the Lasers suffered their second straight loss of the week, falling to Rio Hondo, 3-0, at home on Friday.

IVC lost at Long Beach City, 4-1, earlier in the week.

The Lasers head into conference play with a record of 0-2-5 overall. Rio Hondo improved to 5-3-4 with Friday’s victory.

Like in the match against Long Beach City, Irvine Valley got off to a bit of a slow start and Rio Hondo took advantage.

The Roadrunners put the pressure on the Lasers and scored in the 13th minute when Emmanuel Varela headed in a cross from Alex Casas.

Rio Hondo took advantage of an IVC mistake to make it a 2-0 game. A pass by Irvine Valley in the defensive end was picked off by Makoto Shoji and he ended up with a one-one opportunity. Shoji was able to dribble by keeper Bryce Williamson and score.

Irvine Valley played better in the second half and created a couple of chances, including one by freshman Alejandro Velazquez. His shot was blocked in the box by a Rio Hondo defender.

Rio Hondo put the game away in the 65th minute with its final goal. Pablo Rosell hit the bar with a shot, but followed his play and headed the ball into the back of the net for a 3-0 Roadrunner lead.

Irvine Valley got four saves in goal from Williamson, who played the first half and two saves from Juan Zamora, who played in the second half.

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